Sunday 12 June 2016

Tweaking the training

I spend a lot of my time talking about setting stretching goals and getting out of your comfort zone (or death zone as I refer to it).  Talking about it is one thing. Doing it is a whole different ball game. But what I love about stretching goals is how it pushes you to your limit. If I didn't have the goal of Ironman Frankfurt in 3 weeks today, I'd be resting my injured hamstring and setting my sights on another goal in the future.  However as I have that goal I am working hard with my coach to be in the best possible condition for race day.
This means the balance of the training has changed.  More focus on my swimming as its a great way of staying fit without aggravating my leg. The bike sessions have been shortened but I'm still working hard.  Running has been replaced with cross trainer sessions (and I thought turbo training was boring!).
The benefit of the change is my body is getting an extra rest and feeling good for it.  My chimp is getting used to the change and the fact I've done the distance, and more, before so it's a question of managing any pain and not doing anything stupid.  While my team mates will be enjoying reducing their training by tapering, I'll be maintaining a steady training regime.
And all because I have a goal, I've publicised it and as of 10 minutes ago I've bought my race gear so I'm committed (some say I should be).  We're getting close. My work diary has been arranged to allow no interference with my training in the run up to the event.  It's been a fantastic journey over the last 9 months and I'm looking forward to the "icing on the cake"!  Thank you all for following my blog and on the day you'll be able to follow me via a live tracker - details to follow. Just remember that the comfort zone promotes no growth, in fact your going backwards hence the reason I call it the death zone. So why not set yourself a stretching target to work towards? Go on. Go on go on.  You know you want to!